We need a system that makes it easy for consumers to turn in used consumer electronics.

Takeshi Kuroda, ReNet Japan Group

So why isn't this a sure thing?

Japan doesn't exactly have a system for collecting all the phones and gadgets people throw out. And a lot of what is collected goes toward making even more electronics for people to eventually discard.

Are there other dumps with people's phones?Yep. The United Nations called electronic waste "one of the fastest growing waste streams" in developing and developed countries. And as phones and computers grow more replaceable, the stream will keep getting bigger.

Japan has an e-recycling program, according to Nikkei, but it's fallen pretty far short of its goal of 1 kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) per person.

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